Welcome to Nutrition Month 2014 with the practical theme of “Simply Cook and Enjoy!” This month, Dietitians across Canada guide consumers back to the kitchen to master some cooking basics. Since time constraints are one of the largest barriers to today’s cooking, I will teach some timesaving tips on how to cook in a hurry!
Over the years, we have transitioned (or regressed) in our cooking and food preparation methods. This transition involves consuming more prepared foods, packaged foods and convenience foods, all which require less time in the kitchen and fewer food skills (Health Canada, 2010). Not surprisingly, our dietary intake has moved toward one that is higher in...
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If we replace our sugary, caloric soft drink with a non-caloric “diet pop” we should theoretically lose weight, right? Well, it appears that this might only not be true; in fact, our diet pop may be promoting weight gain!
Research recently published by John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found adults who drink diet beverages consume more calories from food compared to adults who drink regular sodas and other sugary beverages. This research was published in American Journal of Public Health using data from 24,965 people aged 20 and older between 1999 to 2010. This topic is one of on-going debate and further research is needed to...
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Move over regular old green tea, there is a new and more potent green tea in town! Matcha is a fine green tea powder, which has origins dating back to the 12th century in Japan. This tea is described as having a strong and earthy taste with a full and frothy texture. The difference between regular green tea and matcha tea lies in the processing. Matcha tea uses the whole tealeaf for harvesting, steaming, drying and grinding into a fine powder. Interestingly, ten cups of green tea are needed to match the potency of a cup of matcha green tea.
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Are meal times with your picky eater a source of tremendous stress? Will your child start crying or fussing at the sight of a new and unfamiliar food? Are you concerned about your child’s nutritional intake considering the short list of foods that he or she will actually eat? These are common concerns that often bring nervous parents in seeking the support of a Registered Dietitian.
It is important to note that meal times SHOULD NOT be stressful! Keeping a calm and relaxed eating atmosphere helps children develop confidence and positive associations with food. Rest assured that children will naturally test their limits and it is the parent’s...
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When I mention the word protein, what first comes to mind? Do you think of muscles or strength, or do you think of weight control, possibly energy boosting, or maybe you simply think about different types of foods that contain protein? Today, “protein” is a new industry buzzword used to sell food products like drinks, bars and cereals. And it works! Barry Calpino, vice president for Kraft Foods described protein and stated, "It's one of those rare things that has a lot of different meanings to a lot of different people and they are all positive."
Today, let’s take a closer look at protein, how much you need...
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If you are in search of a high protein, fibre-rich, quick and nutritious option, look no further than the frozen section of the grocery store for edamame!
Edamame, pronounced ed-uh-MAH-may, is the name for the fresh, young soybeans that are harvested before the seeds harden. Edamame is popular in Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian cuisine. Edamame beans have a subtle buttery flavour, are crunchy in texture and are found inside a fuzzy green pod. These bright pods are often steamed or boiled and served with a little salt. You can also purchase shelled edamame, which saves you time from squeezing the tasty bean out of the pod.
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What is the point of making a New Year’s resolution for living better, healthier lives if it is not maintainable? Today, I will share my 5 best tips for boosting your health and well-being! All my tips are achievable and sustainable all year round!
1. Focus on “life-long change”:
This year, ditch all those fad diets, the hunger strikes, the elimination diets and take charge of your health with real foods that taste good! Remember that any valiant effort to lose weight that involves deprivation and/or extreme exercise is unsustainable; you will eventually default to your old habits. Therefore, make a commitment to focus on lifelong behavior change using...
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With the arrival of the holiday season, too many of us feel that familiar “holiday stress” creeping up. Isn’t this season supposed to be a fun-filled and joyous time? Why then do so many of us now complain of feeling increased stress? Whatever the cause, help is on the way with my top 7 holiday stress busting tips.
De-stressing is so important (all year long) because physical and emotional stress negatively impact our health. Research supports the link between stress and conditions like heart disease, hypertension, headaches and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Stress is also a contributor in making certain conditions like irritable bowel syndrome,...
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As we slowly become inundated with Christmas commercials and holiday music, I thought this would be an ideal time to explore a select superfood for the winter! As a refresher, a “superfood” is just a fancy word to describe a food with an extraordinary nutritional profile along with associated health benefits.
Pomegranates will be my featured superfood because they are not only sweet and refreshing, but they also pack a nice nutritional punch! You can spot this fantastic fruit in supermarkets between September and January. When selecting your fruit, look for...
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